DeSantis Signs Florida’s 15-Week Abortion Ban Into Law

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a news conference in Osceola County on Thursday, where he signed Florida’s bill that bans abortions after 15 weeks into law.

The new law, which goes into effect July 1, significantly reduces access to late-term abortions in the southeast — North Carolina will become the only southern state to permit an abortion after 15 weeks.

Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate defeated amendments that would have made exceptions for rape, incest, human trafficking and mental health. The only exceptions allowed are cases where the mother is at risk of death, “irreversible physical impairment” or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality.

“We’re here today to defend those who can’t defend themselves,” DeSantis said at a bill signing ceremony at a church in the state.

“Fifteen weeks is a time where these babies have beating hearts. They can move. They can taste. They can see. They can feel pain. They can suck. And they have brain waves,” DeSantis said.

Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried, a candidate for governor, called out Republican leaders’ “hypocrisy” for bragging about “the free state of Florida,” while pushing a law” to force women and girls to give birth.

“This law is a direct attack on women’s constitutional rights, and it’s cruel, extreme, and inhumane,” said Fried.

Congressman Charlie Crist, who leads the race for the Democratic nomination to challenge DeSantis in November, said if elected, ” … I would veto this bill and any attempt to restrict a woman’s right to choose.”

Abortion rights advocates said they would challenge the new law in court.

“If these politicians think the fight against this abortion ban is over, they are sadly mistaken. We won’t rest until our rights are restored. No one has the right to control what we can and cannot do with our own bodies,” said Stephanie Fraim, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida.

The Florida law mirrors a Mississippi law at the heart of the case before the United States Supreme Court, which may lead to Roe v. Wade being overturned this summer.

 

About J. Williams

Check Also

Kent Paxton

Texas AG Ken Paxton Agrees To Community Service, Paying Restitution To Avoid Trial In Securities Fraud Case

Jasper Scherer, The Texas Tribune Prosecutors on Tuesday agreed to drop the securities fraud charges …

Leave a Reply